Upgraded inhalator for powder preparations

Abstract

An upgraded inhalator for powder preparations comprises a main body having an inhalation channel, an external opening accessible by a user, and a tank adapted to receive a dose of powder preparation. The tank is opened to establish communication with the inhalation channel. At least one protuberance protrudes or extends towards the inside of the inhalation channel. Each protuberance defines substantially concave impact surface and is arranged on the opposite side to the external opening. The impact surface of each protuberance intercepts the powder preparation during its crossing of the inhalation channel towards the external opening.

Description

[0001]This application is a National Stage of PCT International Patent Application No. PCT / IB2010 / 001432, filed Jun. 14, 2010, and claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. MO2009A000240, filed Sep. 30, 2009, in the Italian Patent Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to an upgraded inhalator for powder preparations.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Inhalators for powder preparations are known requiring the use of capsules containing a dose of preparation. The capsules are individually inserted inside the inhalator which, in different ways, breaks the capsule and makes the corresponding dose of powder preparation available for inhalation.[0006]The inhalators of this type are generally composed of a container comprising an inhalation channel put in communication with a housing chamber for housing the capsule containing the medicinal product ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides an upgraded inhalator for powder preparations that has several technical effects. Firstly, it allows for easier and more functional loading of the tank designed to contain the powder preparation compared to known inhalators. Secondly, it achieves greater efficiency, i.e., it allows performing more effective inhalation compared to known inhalators. Lastly, it overcomes the mentioned drawbacks of the state of the art within the ambit of a simple, rational, easy and effective to use inhalator at a reasonable cost."

Problems solved by technology

The inhalators of this type, however, have numerous drawbacks, tied mainly to the high number of component parts, such as the aculei, the springs and the extremities required to operate the perforators.

Some of such components must move relative to the container, and malfunctions and blockages are therefor possible.

Furthermore, the multiple use of the inhalator leads to the bacteriological contamination of the inhalator by saliva or external agents, such as dust, and consequently cleaning operations can become necessary.

Again, these known inhalators require accurate assembly operations to be able to operate correctly, and these operations involve a consequent increase in production costs and therefor make single-use economically inopportune.

This type of inhalator, however more functional and reliable than the inhalators initially described, is not suitable for the use of a loose powder preparation, i.e, not enclosed in a capsule, to be released at the time of use and also has the above drawbacks relating to contamination by saliva and dust.

It is known that the quantities of active medicinal product for lung inhalation are so small, i.e., less than one milligram per dose, that the distribution of single doses can be problematic.

Another drawback of the inhalator described in EP 1 725 287 is related to tank loading which is not at all easy and functional.

As it is easy to appreciate, this operation is not at all practical as it requires the disassembly of the inhalator itself.

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